I've been working nonstop it seems trying to get her in camping shape since we hauled her home about 7 weeks ago. I actually started my vacation last Thursday in order to "finish" in time for this weekends annual trip to Priest Lake with a group of friends. "Finish" didn't make it. BUT...... we are in the great northwest, and we went camping anyways, a shorter trip from home.
I've posted on a few threads, mostly questions but have contributed a few answers also. Thought I better start my own thread to document our adventures with and in our Overlander.
I've got to say that UWE and JCFERGUSON's threads have been very inspiring. They both have done remarkable jobs on completely rebuilding their airstreams. I won't be doing such an extensive renovation, but they have definitely provided some inspiration, and answers to my questions. This forum is great - I've been reading and researching for some time prior to our find.
Anyways here's what I've done in the short time I've had her:
Replaced split rims
New tires, bearings packed
Ripped out the old rotten carpet, exposing the asbestos tiles
Scraped up all the old asbestos tiles
Replaced floor rot under jalousie window extending to the door 2'x5'
Rebuilt rotten bottom portion of gaucho above floor rot
Pulled out the old Dometic RM25? "Icebox" (all parts removed, so it no longer qualified as a refrigerator!)
Removed the pile of rust that used to be a furnace
Temporarily pop-riveted in a .032 aluminum panel to cover the hole to the outside. (I used the existing pop-rivet holes from the furnace shroud) I'm thinking of fabricating an acess door....or I'm open to other ideas and suggestions, how-to's?
Removed the chest of drawers and wardrobe
Removed rotten canvas? folding doors - saved hardware to rebuild/recreate later
Removed add-on AM radio set-up some P.O. had added under the hanging cabinet
Sanded and re-stained all the original oak woodwork
Replaced the cabinet front by the entry with new 1/4" oak
Replaced the fridge bulkhead wall/end panel with new 1/4" oak
Rebuilt the kitchen bulkhead wall separating the bedroom area form the kitchen
Built new bulkhead wall to cover backside of shower
Covered existing wheel well plastic enclosure with new plywood
Built new twin bed where wardrobe and chest of drawers were located
Cut new plywood top support for the gaucho using cardboard templates and trial & error
Ordered new foam for gaucho - still have to sew the new cushion covers
Removed & replaced the shelving in all cupboards that had rot and were covered with nasty foam backed carpet
Removed all the frozen & split copper piping - including the bronze check valves! That's one hard freeze!
Replaced all plumbing with PEX. Works great, but I think if I did it over I would use copper as all the junctions would fit better in the trunk and take up less space. BUT... no leaks in the PEX, very simple to use and the JACO fittings were great.
Installed new maple "pergo" flooring from http://lumberliquidators.com There's an actual store 1-1/2 hours south of us. It's a great contrast to the oak woodwork throughout
Removed the rusted stove/oven combo and replaced with a new Atwood 3 burner cook top
Rebuilt the rotten countertop, installed new Formica in a granite pattern
Replaced the chipped 2 bowl porcelain/steel sink with a single bowl stainless steel model. I've saved the original in hopes of getting it refinished in black
Installed a "new" Hadco 600 refrigerator. Cut a new front panel out of the countertop Formica to match - Fridge doesn't work. Sellers claim it did. It heats up under 110V AC and under LP - but no cooling at all! Any ideas? There is no smell of ammonia, or yellowing on the coils.
Made final connection from copper supply line to the fridge with flexible coiled pipe - I'm now reading in the threads that this was a mistake and I need to replace?
Scrubbed (wife actually) all the interior walls with the "purple power" from Wal-Mart - it worked great (although it did take off some of the paints texture. The dirt just ran off the walls
Removed all the knobs. Polished the aluminum headed ones. Need to re-chrome the other twist-n-lock heads or replace - I haven't seen any like it here on the forums, but they are OEM.
Sandblasted the overhead lights. Repainted and rebuilt with new pigtails and switches - Need new covers
Sandblasted and repainted the stove hood. Still need to find a replacement squirrel cage for the fan.
Replaced all outlets and covers
Re-installed the Mansfield Traveler 910 toilet duplicating the P.O.'s misguided attempt at installing a toilet that was to short. MEMO TO SELF - This must be fixed correctly!
Installed new Everstart Marine battery 850 Amps
Clamped new sewer hose to the THETFORD drain fitting. How do I drain the tank? Just gravity? The P.O. left quite a few little doggies behind - the good news in that is it shows that the tank doesn't leak!
I'm sure there's more, just can't think of it right now. I'll be posting my to-do list soon, both immediate needs and future goals. The wife says running water and curtains are immediate or we won't be going to the Silver Falls Rallyhttp://www.airforums.com/forum...4-a-19792.html
Hope to meet some of you there
__________________ AIR 12256 Currently Looking 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 2001 Honda XR650R Currently Looking...for an Avion Truck Camper (or a Classic Argosy MoHo)
__________________ AIR 12256 Currently Looking 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 2001 Honda XR650R Currently Looking...for an Avion Truck Camper (or a Classic Argosy MoHo)
Nice to start seeing the fruits of your labor pay off! I too am working on many of the same things on your list. I am pushing to get mine ready for a week long trip in mid june. I think the best way to get to know my new trailer will be to spend a little time in it. Glad to see others doing the same!
WOW! You and your Mrs. deserve a vacation! You have inspired me to post the progress on our '66 Tradewind. Bought it home from Oregon 3 weeks ago and I had to deal with split copper too among other items. Now I am preparing my tow car, a '71 Buick convertible. I have to be carefull as since December I have had both my hips replaced. It has been 6 weeks since the last surgery and I can't (not supposed to) drive for 8. Anyway enjoy that vacation but I suspect you will have some tools handy to continue your upgrades. Sure you are.
I bought and installed a used Hadco 600 fridge (manufactured in ’88) that fit almost exactly in the original Dometic's spot. It allegedly worked. Real world testing proves it does not. It heats up under 110V , and Propane, but does not cool – at all. There is no smell of ammonia, no yellow on the coils…… any ideas? What can I check, adjust, fix?
__________________ AIR 12256 Currently Looking 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 2001 Honda XR650R Currently Looking...for an Avion Truck Camper (or a Classic Argosy MoHo)
Partial list of upcoming (soon) repairs and or projects:
Sew the new cushion covers - need source for long zippers.
Finish sewing the curtains
Replace the roll pins and re-install the rest of the cabinet latches.
Put another coat (or 2) on all the woodwork. It just soaks it up!
Replace wall to floor trim - need source.
Seal the vent stacks and other areas - need best source for Vulkem.
Rebuild the refrigerator vent - gotta find that thread again where someone else rebuil their existing one.
Media blast the tanks and repaint
Media Blast the bumpers and exposed framework. Repaint. What's the best source for POR 15?
Remove the silicone caulking from P.O. past "fixes"
Lots more to come, but these are the immediate fixes that I need to accomplish prior to the Silver Falls rally in Oregon.
__________________ AIR 12256 Currently Looking 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 2001 Honda XR650R Currently Looking...for an Avion Truck Camper (or a Classic Argosy MoHo)
Greatpumpkin looks like you have been very very busy. Just think not long you will have everything done.
Are we truly ever done???
That's the short list, there's even more on the long list - so much I haven't even made that list yet
__________________ AIR 12256 Currently Looking 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 2001 Honda XR650R Currently Looking...for an Avion Truck Camper (or a Classic Argosy MoHo)
I've already started thinking about pergo floors although the po had just installed carpet (white) but before we do that we have to have some plumbing done. Before we do that we have this to do and then that and the list get's longer and longer. Your right it never is done. But that's what we all like about our trailers.
__________________ Becky 75 Sovereign (Peppy) 03 Chevy HD (lil Peppy) Air# 9552
Vintage Trailer Supply carries Vulkem, now called Pro Tem. I just got a tube from them.
And yes, I know that your valve may be different than mine, but gravity is the source of removal.
Is there a Thetford power flush type device available - I bought one from Wally-World, but of course it will not fit.
__________________ AIR 12256 Currently Looking 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 2001 Honda XR650R Currently Looking...for an Avion Truck Camper (or a Classic Argosy MoHo)
I've already started thinking about pergo floors although the po had just installed carpet (white) but before we do that we have to have some plumbing done. Before we do that we have this to do and then that and the list get's longer and longer. Your right it never is done. But that's what we all like about our trailers.
Are you going to replumb with PEX? I've got a multitude of JACO brand "T's" , "couplers" and "MPT adapters" (Available cheap!) They worked great for me, not a single leak!
__________________ AIR 12256 Currently Looking 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 2001 Honda XR650R Currently Looking...for an Avion Truck Camper (or a Classic Argosy MoHo)
I bought and installed a used Hadco 600 fridge (manufactured in ’88) that fit almost exactly in the original Dometic's spot. It allegedly worked. Real world testing proves it does not. It heats up under 110V , and Propane, but does not cool – at all. There is no smell of ammonia, no yellow on the coils…… any ideas? What can I check, adjust, fix?
First, how long are you letting it work before checking? It should be left on overnight to see if it gets cool.
Second (you are going to love this one), some folks have found that their fridges have sat unused for too long, and the ammonia has separated from the other compounds in the cooling unit. The fix seems to be removing the fridge and gently setting it upside down for a few hours, then righting it and trying it again.
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Sellers claim it did. It heats up under 110V AC and under LP - but no cooling at all! Any ideas? There is no smell of ammonia, or yellowing on the coils.
You and your Mrs. deserve a vacation! You have inspired me to post the progress on our '66 Tradewind. Bought it home from Oregon 3 weeks ago and I had to deal with split copper too among other items. Now I am preparing my tow car, a '71 Buick convertible. I have to be carefull as since December I have had both my hips replaced. It has been 6 weeks since the last surgery and I can't (not supposed to) drive for 8. Anyway enjoy that vacation but I suspect you will have some tools handy to continue your upgrades. Sure you are.
But that's what we all like about our trailers.
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